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Johannesburg - The recent expose on police brutality in the township liquor trade by eTV's Third Degree did not unfortunately come as a surprise to most taverners, says the Gauteng Liquor Forum (GLF).

The GLF, which represents over 8000 shebeen and tavern owners in Gauteng, says many taverners have been regularly subjected to illegal and even criminal treatment by the police. The forum has on many occasions expressed its concern over the behaviour of the so-called 'Amaberete' -members of the SAPS's tactical response team that have been terrorising taverns and their patrons for years.

"The Gauteng Liquor Forum strongly and unequivocally condemns the actions of those members of the SAPS's tactical response team who have been harassing and assaulting our members and their patrons," says GLF spokesperson Mr Linda Madida.

"As evidenced by the expose on eTV's Third Degree, the 'Amaberete' have time and again subjected law-abiding business owners and their customers to threats, intimidation and violence. Our members regularly express their frustration and anger at the police brutality they are subjected to on an on-going basis."

One of these members, who has owned a tavern in Vosloorus since 1999, says that he and his clients have been victims of the Amaberete countless times.

The story is familiar: the police usually arrive at about 10pm, searching and beating his customers and pouring alcohol everywhere. In fact, he says that he has lost clients because of the brutality involved in these raids.

Another GLF member, who operates a shebeen out of Sasolberg, says: "They [the Amaberete] usually come to those outlets that don't have CCTV cameras.

They come and beat my customers without saying anything."

Mr Madida continues: "We ask that the new Police Commissioner, Ms Riah Phiyega, holds those members of the tactical response team that are responsible for these crimes accountable as she would the criminals they are meant to be catching."

Comments

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Sat May 18 19:48:36 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 24, 2012

guiliano

Aren't these the same police who shot those miners?
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Aug 24, 2012

REAREND

Amaberete are one bunch of fools. They assault people like no on`s buss. I wonder what crateria they used when recruiting them, cause about 80% I have met they are not even clear in English. How do they interpret your rights to you?
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Aug 24, 2012

Tobby

They are very scared of the really tsotsis, they beat people who are sitting, relaxing and drinking beers of their own money, when are they going to stop crime in Hillbrow, ATM bombers, murderes, rapists etc. I am not suprised why they are killed.
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Aug 24, 2012

GUERRILLA

brutal actions by pollice espeacily this AMABARETE thing believe me it will drive us beck to our pas tand yet we as black people will fight our own tribes

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Aug 24, 2012

Bhudmaswidi

They are.
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Aug 24, 2012

Bhudmaswidi

No wonder cops are being killed by thugs because of these Amabarete. What is the Minister of Police say about this because everywhere their complaining about these guys even the cops themselves are even scared of them cause they even hit them if they get in their way. This BLOODY MINISTER "NATHI MTHETHWA" should just step down.
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Aug 24, 2012

Voetzek

These people also kick normal police's ass, thats why is difficult to open a case agaist them, i have got white T-shirt still having their boots Print on it, Tzek
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Aug 24, 2012

1andonlybucs

wonder if they have normal homes and normal families, and which community do they stay in when they are not working..id like to get my hands on one of them when they're off duty!!
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Aug 24, 2012

GUERRILLA

FOETSEK lol they somehow visited you.... iam also a victim i had a scar on my cnih they kicked me several times when i opend a case in PRETORIA SUNNYSIDE ploice station they said i must come tomorrow cause im intoxiated.... i came the following dae they transfered me to PTA CENTRAL POLICE STAION i went there and they said theres nothing they can do cause they cant just beat me out of the blue i might have done something wrong i gave up then but BAZOKAKA one dae is one dae
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Aug 24, 2012

Ravaaza

Bayanilaya niyaphapha mos,nihlulwa utshwala nina bodarki,nasenidakiwe niyadelela anihloniphi umthetho,nalama tarven owners awafuni ukuvala ayafosta,they have bring the crime level down where im from so big up to 'Amabherete'sikhathele yini enidwaka ningalali,nifune nodriver ninze ama accident, banishaye kancane.Why abelungu abacomplain le freedom yenu iyaniphaphisa.
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